At least 16 presidents are expected to attend the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC), in Nairobi, Kenya.
According to a communique seen by The Kenya Times, 13 heads of state from Africa had arrived by Tuesday morning. Two others, the statement noted, were expected to land later in the day.
The 13 presidents to have arrived in the country by Tuesday morning are.
- Presidents Evariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi)
- Nana Akufo Addo (Ghana)
- Azali Assoumani (Comoros)
- Brahim Ghali (Sahrawi Democratic Republic)
- Julius Maada (Sierra Leone)
- Sale Work Zewde (Ethiopia)
- Isaias Afewerki (Eritrea)
- Salva Kiiir Mayardit (South Sudan)
- Samia Suluhu (Tanzania)
- Filipe Nyusi (Mozambique)
- Dennis Sassou Nguesso (Congo)
- Paul Kagame (Rwanda)
- Younis Menfi (Libya)
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The two presidents expected to arrive on Tuesday, September 5, morning were President Ismael Omar Guelleh and Mahamat Deby of Chad.
In addition to the presidents, President William Ruto will also host several high-level dignitaries including United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres, African Union’s Chairperson Moussa Faki and former US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Kerry is in the country as a special envoy and leader of the United States’ delegation representing President Joe Biden.
Moreover, several representatives of governments and nations from all over the world and heads of multinational organizations are attending the summit.
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Africa Climate Summit Sets Agenda
Speaking during day one of the Africa Climate Summit on Monday, September 5, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua lauded African leaders for their attendance.
Mutua noted that their presence was a testament to the gravity of climate change across the continent, adding that Africa has realized that climate change should be a political and development priority.
“By attending this summit, the leaders are signaling their commitment to addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change, including extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and food security threats” CS Mutua stated.
During the Africa Climate Summit, African countries will lobby for funding towards decarbonization efforts and sensitize stakeholders to expedite attainment of carbon targets.
The summit, which is the first-of-its-kind, will also set Africa’s agenda in the upcoming COP28 summit set for November 2023 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
